Evernote: Why I’m Not Jumping Ship

September 20, 2018

I was more than a little heartbroken when I recently read that Evernote was having some major problems. Like many users who depend heavily on Evernote, I started scrambling for another app that could do the same things.

And I couldn’t find one.

The truth is, there is no other app that can do what Evernote does. There are lots of apps that can take notes, make lists, save articles and store documents but there isn’t one single app that does it all as seamlessly as Evernote can.

So, I’m going to cross my fingers and toes and hope they make it through this tough time of transition. The fact that the app (particularly at the premium level) allows such robust functionality might save them in the end because their users won’t be able to find a replacement.

The cloud storage and productivity platform is not a perfect solution for all. It’s known as a note-taking app but the marketplace is full of note-taking apps. Evernote is special because of its extra functionality along with the note storage:

a robust search function that allows you to find words or phrases anywhere (text, in scanned documents and even in handwriting)

notebooks, notebook stacks and tagging for added organization options

the photo/scan function is amazing and I use it all the time for receipts, health documents and more

easy to save articles or parts of posts you find online from your browser

apps for lots of different devices and a web version, all of which have most of the same features and functionality

Basically, my whole life is in Evernote. I use it for business stuff, novel research, backups of my current projects, but I also keep things very personal in there: scans of drawings my nephew has done for me, health records, and trips I’d like to take some day.

I’m even writing this post in Evernote.

The closest product I could find was Microsoft OneNote. According to the comments I found online, its search function leaves a lot to be desired and the desktop app is slow. Plus, Microsoft products always have that super corporate look and feel that makes this graphic designer a little wary. (Check out this comparison of the two apps.)

Evernote not a perfect solution for everyone, myself included. (I’m going to soon be writing an updated post about what I’m using for my many to-do lists.)

For now, despite my concerns, my loyalty stays with Evernote. I hope other users (paid and free) also stick with it for the time being.

If you use Evernote and are frantically compiling a list of alternative apps to try—probably in an Evernote app, right?—please keep in mind that tech blogs love to publish “the sky is falling” type articles because they get eyeballs. If it bleeds, it leads. That’s just how news sites work.

Kevin Burton

It’s still brand new but it’s only 2 months old so I’m pretty happy with it so far.

Tori

October 10, 2018 at 5:10 pm

Hi, OneNote has everything that Evernote has and more. It is kinda lonely being a OneNote enthusiast because there aren’t as many diehard fans, but I would urge people to look into that app if Evernote shutters. I am very pleased with OneNote and it is bundled with the Office apps so I don’t have to pay extra.

Jilly

October 10, 2018 at 5:59 pm

I tried it. Just didn’t do it for me. Something about the Microsoft-esque aesthetic. (I’m a designer. I don’t deal well with ugly interfaces.) Plus, my Microsoft suite is really outdated and I want to avoid moving to the Microsoft ecosystem if I can possibly help it.
Maybe it’s great for some, but not for me.